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Sunday, December 8, 2013

The duel on the island

Anthony Duclair (Quebec Remparts)

Saturday had a little of everything from the New York Ranger and New York Islander prospects as the separation is beginning to show between those who are serious prospects to those who barring a change won't see a professional contract from either the Islanders or Rangers.

To many of you this may seem like it is too early to start thinking about who does/doesn't get a contract but you have to take into consideration that for the 2012 class they have had almost 2 seasons to show progress.

The other factor is now is when teams are starting to focus on who they might need to address possible needs within the franchise. That said the Rangers do not have to make any decisions because their 4 picks from the 2012 draft class have 2 prospects playing NCAA hockey (which gives them 4 years plus to decide whether or not to sign them) and 2 playing in Europe.

Ryan Graves (Charlottetown Islanders)

I missed the memo on which NHL rule is in place currently for how long a team has to sign a European draft pick. If I am the Rangers then I pass on signing either Calle Andersson or Thomas Spelling as neither has shown the kind of forward progress that is needed to show that they could become NHL players.

For the Islanders and their 2012 draft class, Adam Pelech has earned an NHL deal and I would gamble on giving Loic Leduc an AHL deal mainly because he has shown forward progress not to mention his already made NHL body of 6'6 218. Jesse Graham doesn't get a contract mainly because Graham just hasn't shown the kind of forward progress that says "I can be an NHL player."

The 2 prospects led their respective teams against each other as both had 2 assists and were plus players in a game which Duclair's Quebec Remparts won earning a 6-3 win over Grave's Charlottetown Islanders. Duclair (NYR 2013 3rd) had 2 third period assists including the primary assist on what proved to be the game winning goal. Duclair set up Olivier Archambault for Quebec's 4th goal just 50 seconds into the 3rd period.

2:24 later at 3:14 while on the power play, Duclair would earn a secondary assist on Olivier Archambault's 2 goal of the game which gave Quebec a 5-1 lead. For Duclair, he improves to 24-18-42 on the season still good for 10 in the QMJHL.
Graves (NYR 2013 4th) would record 2 secondary assists for his Islander team but it wasn't enough to prevent them from extending their winless streak to 0-6-1-0. Graves is now 2-5-7 for the season.
The Rest of the prospects

Loic Leduc (NYI 2012 4th) and his Cape Breton Screaming Eagles played some pond hockey with the Saint John Sea Dogs earning a 9-6 win. Leduc had an assist along with his 2nd fighting major of the season. Leduc earned a primary assist on the first goal of the game just 2:09 into the game.

The fighting major also came with an instigator and 10 minute misconduct came at 9:56 of the second so Leduc missed the rest of the second period and the first 7 minutes of the 3rd. Sorry no report on how the fight went but Leduc went after Alexander McQuaid which is something he has not done this season. It will be interesting to see the video on this fight.

The win was the 4th straight for the Screaming Eagles who are also 8-2 in their last 10.
Jake Bischoff (NYI 2012 7th) earned the secondary assist on what proved to be the game winning goal to help his top ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers defeat the Michigan State Spartans 3-2. The assist was Bischoff's 3rd on the season and his 6th overall point. Teammates Taylor Cammarata (NYI 2013 3rd) and Brady Skeji (NYR 2012 1st) were both scoreless as Minnesota improves to 12-2-2 (3-0-1 Big Ten).

Mackenzie Skapski (NYR 2013 6th) played a strong game in goal for his Kootenay Ice but the Ice could only manage 1 goal in a 2-1 loss to the Kelowna Rockets. Skapski stopped 28 out of 30 shots faced and did not have a bad game against one of the top teams in the WHL's Western Conference. Skapski is 7-8-2 3.03 goals against and a 0.898 save percentage,

Jesse Graham (NYI 2012 6th) had a secondary assist but it was not enough to prevent his Saginaw Spirit from dropping a 5-4 overtime decision to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Graham earned his assist on the Spirit's 3rd goal of the game which came at the 3:37 of the 3rd period. For Graham it was his 5th assist in the 6 games he has played with the Spirit but the Spirit are winless in their last 5 games (0-3-2-0).

Adam Tambellini (NYR 2013 3rd) was scoreless on 2 shots and was even as his North Dakota team defeated Western Michigan 3-2 to earn a sweep of their 2 game series. Tambellini was once again the 4th line center but at least in this game his line saw more action. North Dakota with their win reached the 500 mark at 7-7-2.
Ryan Pulock (NYI 2013 1st) was scoreless and a +1 as his Brandon Wheat Kings defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-1. Pulock had a much better night than he did on Friday evening with a +1 but with minors for kneeing and hooking.

Victor Crus-Rydberg (NYI 2013 5th) was scoreless with a minor for tripping as his Plymouth Whalers lost to the Guelph Storm 5-2. Plymouth is winless in their last 5 games (0-3-0-2).

Robbie Russo (NYI 2011 4th) and 11th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish dropped a 3-2 decision to the UMass-Amherst Minutemen. Russo was scoreless on 4 shots but this is the kind of game that Notre Dame has no business losing as UMass entered the game 3-11-2. Special teams killed Notre Dame as they gave up 2 power play goals to UMass and failed to score on their 5 power play chances.

Steven Fogarty (NYR 2011 3rd) missed this game with his lower body injury.

Doyle Somerby (NYI 2012 5th) was scoreless as his Boston University Terriers played to a 1-1 overtime tie with the Merrimack Warriors. Boston University also should have won this game playing a 3-9-2 team but if Boston University earns a bad seed in the Hockey East playoffs remember this game.

Kyle Burroughs (NYI 2013 7th) missed his 2nd straight game for his Regina Pats as he undergoes the WHL concussion protocols. Burroughs was injured in a game against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday.